This 2e of Toxoplasma gondii reflects the significant advances in the field in the last 5 years, including new information on the genomics, epigenomics and proteomics of T. gondii as well as a new understanding of the population biology and genetic diversity of this organism. T. gondii remains the best model system for studying the entire Apicomplexa group of protozoans, which includes Malaria, making this new edition essential for a broad group of researchers and scientists.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a one-celled protozoan parasite known as T. gondii. The infection produces a wide range of clinical syndromes in humans, land and sea mammals, and various bird species. Most humans contract toxoplasmosis by eating contaminated, raw or undercooked meat (particularly pork), vegetables, or milk products; by coming into contact with the T. gondii eggs from cat feces; or by drinking contaminated water. The parasite damages the ocular and central nervous systems, causing behavioral and personality alterations as well as fatal necrotizing encephalitis. It is especially dangerous for the fetus of an infected pregnant woman and for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as HIV-infected patients.

Audience

Book information

Published: August 2013

Imprint: ACADEMIC PRESS

ISBN: 978-0-12-396481-6

Reviews

"The field was in need of this new edition because of the information burst that has occurred with the sequencing of the genome which has led to tractable genetic systems. A one source resource for these molecular techniques is essential to the continuing progress in this research field." â Melanie T. Cushion, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Chair for Research, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio

Table of Contents

Preface1. The History and Life Cycle of Toxoplasma gondii2. The Ultrastructure of Toxoplasma gondii3. Population Structure and Epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii4. Toxoplasma Clinical Disease and Diagnostics5. Ocular Disease6. Toxoplasmosis in Wild and Domestic Animals7. Toxoplasma Animal Models and Therapeutics8. Biochemistry, Lipids, Glycobiology and Metabolism of Toxoplasma gondii9. The Apicoplast and Mitochondrion of Toxoplasma gondii10. Calcium Storage and Homeostasis in Toxoplasma gondii11. The Parasitophorous Vacuole: an organelle for the host pathogen interface12. Toxoplasma Secretory Organelles: Rhoptries, Micronemes and Dense Granules13. The Cytoskelton: Structure and Motility14. Alterations in Host Cell Biology due to Toxoplasma gondii15. Bradyzoite Development16. Development and Application of Classical Genetics in Toxoplasma gondii17. Genetic Manipulation18. Gene Regulation and Epigenomics19. Genomic Analysis and Bioinformatics20. Comparative Aspects of Nucleotide and Amino Acid Metabolism in Toxoplasma gondii and other Apicomplexa21. Chemical Biology and Toxoplasma as a Model System for Drug Discovery22. Proteomics of Toxoplasma gondii23. Cerebral Toxoplasmosis: Pathogenesis, Host Resistance and Behavioural Consequences24. Innate Immunity in Toxoplasma Infection25. Adaptive Immunity and host Genetics26. Toxoplasma gondii vaccinesEpilogue: Toxoplasma as a Model Organism